. Mambilima

By CATHERINE NYIRENDA –
THE Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) has started budget preparations for the presidential election to be held within 90 days, following the demise of President Michael Sata.
ECZ chairperson Ireen Mambilima announced the budget preparations at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka yesterday after paying her last respects to President Sata, who died in London on October 28, 2014.
“At the moment, we are just trying to come up with the budget for the presidential election,” Ms Justice Mambilima said. “Preparation for the whole process would commence immediately after the burial of the head of state.”
The actual amount that would be needed for the presidential election will be known by the general public after the budgeting is completed and handed over to the Treasury.
The ECZ chairperson described late President as a courageous leader who would be missed for the great support he rendered to the Commission.
“We have lost a friend and a supporter of a credible electoral process in Zambia. He supported the Commission very much. Every time we called on him, he would respond positively,” Justice Mambilima said.
She recalled how after the 2011 elections, the Commission appealed to him for funding to expand their offices and construct a new warehouse and, upon their request, President Sata directed the Treasury to
release the money.
“As I am talking now the new buildings have been handed over to us and would have loved for him to inaugurate the two buildings,” Justice Mambilima said.